Smoke flare signalling and marking device

ABSTRACT

A visual signal device which is floatable on water when energized to produce smoke which comprises a cartridge containing a smoke-generating composition, an inflatable floatation member disposed adjacent to the smoke composition cartridge, means for conducting a portion of the gas generated from the ignited smoke composition into the floatation member to expand such member and thus serve as a float for the cartridge, and separate means for conducting a major portion of the gas to the environment, bypassing the floatation member to serve as a smoke marker.

limited States Patent Sanders, deceased et a1.

SMOKE FLARE SIGNALLING AND MARKING DEVICE lnventors: Victor M. Sanders,deceased, late of Asheville, N.C. by Nellie M. Sanders, executrix;Andrew A. Scotchie, Asheville, N.C.

Northrop Carolina, lnc., Swannanoa, N.C.

Filed: Dec. 4, 1970 Appl. No.: 95,111

Assignee:

U.S. Cl. 116/124 B, 9/9, 102/65 lint. Cl. G091 9/00 Field of Search116/114, 124, 129,

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 9/1943 Le Comte 116/124 B UX4/1944 Oliver 116/26 X 7/1947 Van Karner 4/1961 Jackson [451 Sept,19,1973

3,167,050 1/1965 Johnson 116/124 B 3,427,973 2/1969 Beers 3,520,2757/1970 Gawlick et a1. 116/124 B FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLlCATlONS 693,4799/1964 Canada 116/124 B Primary ExaminerLouis J. CapoziAttorney-Sokolski dz Wohlgemuth and W. M. Graham [57] AWS'HRACT A visualsignal device which is floatable on water when energized to producesmoke which comprises a cartridge containing a smoke-generatingcomposition, an inflatable floatation member disposed adjacent to thesmoke composition cartridge, means for conducting a portion of the gasgenerated from the ignited smoke composition into the floatation memberto expand such member and thus serve as a float for the cartridge, andseparate means for conducting a major portion of the gas to theenvironment, bypassing the floatation member to serve as a smoke marker.

7 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures Pmzmin w 3.759.216

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p x 2 f) i 1 35 1 INVENTORS 1 VICTOR M. SANDERS BY ANDREW A. SCOTCH/ESOKOL SKI a WOHLGEMUITH PATENTED 3.759.216

SHEEI E [If 2 /O5 1 [ii L]: //5 k //2 I18 l I I II FIG 3 INVENTORSVICTOR M. SANDERS BY ANDREW A. SCOTCH/E SOKOLSK/ 8 WOHLGEMUTH ATTORNEYSSMOKE FLARE SIGNALLING AND MARKING DEVICE Prior to the herein inventionit has been recognized that it is desirable to have a smoke marker orflare that can float on the water. Many applications for the utilizationof smoke markers involve identification of positions through the use ofa smoke marker in environments containing water, such as marshes,rivers, lakes, and even the ocean. The smoke markers are often projectedfrom a gun or can even be thrown, in the form of a grenade or the like.Obviously, if the marker becomes submerged in the water or isdisoriented in the water, such that the burning surface is wetted, extinguishment of the smoke composition can readily occur. Thus, one of theimportant requirements in providing a smoke marker for utilization inwater environments is that it be capable of floating in a properposition in the water even after projection, so that the smoke generatedwill be directed in an upwardly manner away from the water.

Most all of the prior art devices for floating smoke markers utilized acan or similar element containing the smoke, which had a large openenclosed area therein which served as a ballast to provide flotation.The main problem with these conventional flotation markers is that theydo not provide sufficient stability in extremely rough seas, norstability when the markers are projected from a gun or such into water.Further, and of importance as well, is the fact that the large ballastarea increases the overall size of the marker significantly. Morerecently designedfloating markers have utilized casings of foamedmaterial, such as foamed polystyrene or the like, to provide flotation.However, once again, this significantly increases the size of the markerand makes it considerably more bulky than desired. Further, thesematerials in some instances add weight, while in other instances theyprovide for a fragile outer surface. Even these devices, however, do notprovide satisfactory flotation in many environments.

Thus, an object of this invention is to provide an improved floatingsmoke signal or marker having improved flotation properties.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved floatingsmoke signal or marker that is compact and lightweight.

The above and other objects of this invention are accomplished by theherein floating smoke signal which comprises a casing containing aconventional smoke composition. A port is provided on one side of thecasing to allow the smoke to escape when the composition is ignited byan igniter. There is additionally provided at least one secondary portin the casing containing the smoke composition. The secondary portcommunicates with the interior of a hollow inflatable floatation memberwhich is affixed and sealed to the casing containing the smokecomposition. When the smoke composition is thus ignited, a portion ofthe gas generated will flow through the secondary port and expand thefloatation member which can be of cloth or various water impermeablematerials. Before the smoke is ignited, the floatation member materialis tightly compacted, taking up little weight and volume within thedevice. When expanded after the smoke composition has been ignited, thefloatation member provides a relatively large surface area lending greatstability for the marker when in a body of water. Thus, the diameter ofthe inflated member can be from 2 to 3 or more times greater than thediameter of the smoke producing device. In a first embodiment of theinvention, the casing containing the smoke generating composition,together with the attached floatation member, is disposed within anouter shell or housing from which it is ejected after the smokecomposition is ignited generating gaseous pressure. in this embodiment,the shell is projected from a gun or suitable device. in anotherembodiment of this invention, the casing for the smoke generatingcomposition is esentially a grenade housing which contains the smokecomposition and the floatation member. A port is provided for directinga portion of the smoke gas to inflating the floatation member in themanner previously described, while the main portion of the gas will bedirected outwardly from the grenade.

It is believed that the invention will be further understood from thefollowing detailed description and drawing, in which:

FIG. l is a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of a floatingsmoke device capable of being propelled from a gun.

FIG. 2 is a pictorial representation of the. device of FIG. l where thefloatation member is expanded and floating on water.

FIG. 3 is a partially sectioned view of a hand grenade smoke generatingdevice of this invention.

Turning now to FIG. ll, there is seen a smoke marker 11 which is capableof floating on water. In this embodiment the device comprises an outershell 13 having a cylindrical body closed at one upper end 15. Closedend 15 has a threaded aperture T7 in which is disposed a delay assemblyl9 containing a propellant delay composition Zil. End 15 further has anO-ring seal 23 about its outer circumference which enables it to beengaged with a conventional cartridge case having a primer percussiondisposed therein. Further indents 25 can be formed in end 15 to lessenthe weight of the overall device.

The shell 13 should preferably be formed of a suitable polymeric orplastic-material to also decrease the weight. it is to be noted thatbelow the O-ring seal 23 there is located an enlarged ridge portion 2'7having a greater diameter than the main cylindrical body of the shell.This enables the device to engage the rifling bore of the gun utilizedto project the marker which may comprise a conventional hand grenadelauncher.

The open bottom end 29 of the shell 13 is enclosed with a generallyhemispherically shaped ogive end cover 311 which is sealed thereto by anO-ring 33 such that the ogive 31 can be separated from the shell 113.The ogive portion 31 once again is formed of a suitable plasticpolymeric material as the shell i3. As will be explained, the shell 13and ogive end cover 3i merely serve to suitably enclose the smoke markerof the invention so that it can be suitably projected from a gun orother device, and are eventually separated after projection to allow theexposure of the marker.

Within the shell ll3 there is disposed the main marker device 35 whichis comprised of a circular plate 37 having a cylindrical chimney portion39 formed therewith and extending upwardly toward the top end of theouter shell. Plate 37 has a circumferential indentation 41 formed aboutits periphery. Crimped to this indentation 4t and thus affixed to theplate 35 is a casing d3 containing the smoke composition 45. Casing d3has dimensions to conform to the inner diameter of the shell 13 andogive cover 311. The plate 37 and casing 43 are preferably formed out ofa lightweight metal, such as aluminum or the like.

The description of the device as follows will be explained with regardto the assembling thereof. As can be appreciated, the smoke composition45 in its casing 43 can be affixed by the crimp to notch 41 at any stagein the assembling of the device and is independent from the assemblingof the remaining portion. An inflatable floatation member 47 iscomprised of two halves as seen in FIG. 2 particularly which are sewnabout their outer periphery 49 after both such halves are separatelyaffixed to the device.

To assemble the device, a spacer element 51 is disposed on top of theplate 37. Plate 37 is provided with a plurality of vent apertures 53with one shown in the Figure. Typically, three equidistantly spacedvents can be used. Additionally, the plate 37 is provided with threadedholes 55 which can receive bolts 57. Preferably three such equidistantlyspaced threaded holes 55 are also provided in plate 37. As can be seen,the spacer 51 has an inner diameter 61 which bisects the vent apertures53. Thus, the notched portions 59 are required adjacent each vent 53 toprovide sufficient area for the gas to be vented to the floatationmember. To assemble the device, spacer 51 is aligned relative to plate37 such that holes provided in the spacer are properly aligned with thethreaded hole 55 and notched portions 59 are co-aligned with the ventholes 53. The lower one-half portion of the floatation member is thenlaid on top of the spacer 51. The floatation member has holes providedtherein for alignment with those provided in the spacer 51, as well asnotched areas about its inner diameter to co-align with the notched area59 in the spacer.

Overlying the floatation member and sandwiching it to the spacer 51 is aplate 63 having an inner diameter 65 slightly greater than the outerdiameter of the chimney portion 39. The plate 63 is secured to the mainplate 37 by bolt 57 which passes through the floatation member material47 and spacer element 51. Plate 63 is preferably formed of a plasticinsulation material that will not melt at the temperatures generated bythe smoke composition. Generally, plate 63 can be of the same materialused for the spacer element 51 and can be, for example, an asbestosfilled phenolic plastic.

Plate 63 serves two main functions. The first function is to secure thefloatation member 47 by sandwiching it to the spacer 51. Secondly, theplate 63 serves to deflect hot solid particles generated from theignition and smoke compositions when it is first ignited and thuspreventing them from entering the floatation member 47. This feature canbe appreciated since the plate 63, as can be seen, blocks the directpathway from the vent hole 53 and notched areas 61 in spacer 51.However, the space between the inner diameter 65 of plate 63 and thechimney 39 should be equivalent in area to the total area of vent holes53, so the gas passing through vent holes 53 is not effectivelyrestricted as to the volume of flow, but rather is forced to take a pathwhereby individual solid particles of ignition composition would bedeflected back toward the smoke composition 45 allowing only the gaseousproducts of the ignition and smoke compositions to pass into thefloatation member 47.

The spacer plate 51 serves the function mainly to prevent heat transferfrom the plate 37 to the to prevent the floatation from becoming burnedor deteriorating during the generation of the smoke.

After the lower half of the floatation member is affixed to the device,the separate upper half is then ready for attachment. A proportion ofchimney 39 has a slightly reduced diameter to provide a ledge 67 uponwhich rests an additional plate 69 of the same material used in spacer51. The upper half of the floatation member is then placed between plate69 and a washer 71 comprised of asbestos or the like. A metal springclamp 73 is then seated over the washer 71 gripping the chimney 39 andclamping the washer 71 and floatation member to the plate 69 in tightfitting sealing engagement. Washer 71 of asbestos or other insulatingmaterial serves to prevent heat from being conducted from the metalclamp 73 to the floatation member, much in the same manner that thespacer 51 prevents heat conductivity to the lower half of the floatationmember.

After both halves of the floatation member 47 are attached to the devicethey are then sewn together about their outer periphery 49 to provide atight seal. The floatation can be comprised of virtually any coatedfabric, such as linen, cotton, fiberglass cloth, dacron and the like.The fabric is coated with, for example, a silicon coating to eliminateporosity and protect the material from the hot smoke deposits.Obviously, other suitable coatings can be utilized for the samepurposes. After the ballute is sewn, the entire device 35 is ready to bedisposed in the shell 13.

Prior to insertion in the shell, a metal bearing plate 75 is inserted inthe casing 13 adjacent the top inner portion and aligned with thethreaded aperture 17 It is noted that the bearing plate 75 has a holehaving an inner diameter 77 which is less than the diameter of thechimney 39. The small inner diameter 77 is disposed adjacent the chimney39 and flares outwardly toward a larger diameter portion 79corresponding to the threaded aperture 17. The purpose of thisconstruction will be explained in the operation of the device.

To operate the smoke marker, the entire device 11 is affixed to aconventional cartridge element. It is then placed in a suitable gun orother means for projecting the device. When fired, the cartridge isinitially detonated providing the gaseous force to push the entiredevice 1 1 as seen, out of the gun barrel, while also serving to ignitea first fire composition 21(a) which in turn ignites the delaycomposition 21 in the part 19. The delay composition-21 can be aconventional one such as set forth in specification MIlj-T-23 132,Series II. This is referred to as a tungsten delay composition. Thecomposition 21 can, for example, provide a delay of five seconds betweenthe projection of the marker from the gun to the ignition of the smoke.As the delay composition 21 burns, it forms a slag in the plug 31 andcloses or significantly reduces the opening 79 therein, effectivelyblocking the escape of any gas from chimney 39.

The smoke composition 45 is preferably comprised of an initial layer ofa first fire mix $1 immediately under the chimney 39 such that the hotgases generated by the output ignition composition 21(b), adjacent tothe delay composition 21, initially strike the first fire mix 81 causingthe ignition thereof. The first fire mix can be preferably a thincoating of any standard ignition material, such as boron potassiumnitrate having thennite additives therein. First fire mix 81 serves boththe function of igniting the main smoke composition and generatingsufficient initial gas to eject the marker from the outer shell 13.

When the first fire composition is thus ignited, the gas generatedthereby passes up through chimney 39 and bears against bearing plate 75.As indicated, the hole 79 in the plug 19 is closed by slag from thefirst fire composition. Thus, the gas generated by the first fire mixserves to propel the marker from the shell l3 forcing the ogive endcover 31 therefrom as it is projected. This can be accomplished beforeor after the device strikes the water. if fired into the water normalejection of marker from the outer shell takes place, ignition of thesmoke and inflation of the floatation member occurs, and the markerrises to the surface to emit a normal smoke signal.

The bearing plate 75 serves a function of taking the load from thechimney 39 when the device is projected from the shell. Since the shellis formed of a plastic material, the metal bearing plate 75 isparticularly useful to receive the significant load generated during theprojection step. Concurrent with the gas formed in chimney 39 by thefirst fire mix, the floatation member 47 is internally receiving a gasfrom this mix and is immediately inflated once it is free from theconfines of the shell l3 prior to striking water or, as the case may be,below the surface of the water.

The first main layer 83 of the smoke composition is preferably comprisedof a fast burning smoke mix. This is to insure that the floatationmember 47 stays inflated before water impact since the first fire mixfill is expended preferably before impact. For example, in a sodiumpicrate smoke system, the top composition 83 could be comprised of 55weight percent sodium picrate and 45 weight percent white dye if a whitecolor, for example, is desired.

The device can additionally have a middle smoke composition as a slowburning mix having less sodium picrate and comprise, for example, 50weight percent sodium picrate and 50 weight percent white dye. Finally,a remaining third composition 97 of the smoke mix can be comprised of aslowest burning increment and comprise for example, 37.5 weight percentsodium picrate, 611 weight percent white dye, and 1.5 weight percentsulphur which serves to retard the burning rate of the mixture.

The smoke compositions are preferably insulated from the casing 43 by aliner 84 made of paperphenolic or other suitable material. Theutilization of three increments of different burning rates in the smokecomposition is not mandatory to the successful operation of the device.It is preferred that an initial relatively quick burning smokecomposition is provided to insure as indicated, that the floatationmember be inflated upon water impact. The remaining portion of the smokecomposition can, however, have a single burning rate less than that ofthe initial layer. However, even the initial layer is not necessarilyrequired in that in many instances the smoke composition will have aburning rate sufficient to insure that the floatation member is fullyinflated upon impact. As can be appreciated, the invention is thus notdependent upon the composition of the smoke material 45 and any known oreven yet to be discovered smoke compositions can be utilized in thedevice to provide the desired end result both providing smoke andmaintaining inflation of the floatation member 47. Further, the smokecomposition can be substituted with a conventional colored or Whiteflare composition to provide a flame marker for night marking andsignaling.

As can be readily seen, when the device till is floating in water 95, asseen in PlG. 2, the main portion of the smoke is directed upwardly outof the water from the chimney 39. The inflated floatation member d7provides a large surface of water contact which is light weight yetadding great stability to the device as it floats, with the shellportion 35 submerged in the water.

Turning now to H6. 3., there is seen a hand grenade version of thedevice of this invention. The device is quite similar to a conventionalhand grenade smoke, except for modification to incorporate theinflatable floatation member concept of this invention. The grenade iscomprised of an outer casing 93 containing the smoke composition 95.Casing 93 is crimped to plate 97. The plate 97 has integrally formedtherewith a cylindrical upwardly extending neck portion 99, and hasplurality of spaced holes 1193 therein to serve as ports or chimneys forthe emission of smoke. Unly one such port T93 is seen in the drawing.However, three or four equidistantly spaced ones can be utilized.

A portion of the inner diameter of the cylindrical portion 99 isthreaded to receive a fuse assembly T95. Additionally, the cylindricalportion 99 is provided with a flat plate W7 integrally formed therewithparallel to plate 97 forming a circumferential chamber therebetween inwhich a ballute i199 is disposed. Ballute 199 can be affixed by adhesiveor other suitable means to the respective plates 97 and 197. Tape llllll or other suitable means can be utilized to enclose the chamber inwhich the floatation member T99 is located, as long as the material canbe readily removed manually or due to the expansion force of thefloatation member when it is filled with gas. A plurality of ports illl3are located in plate 97 communicating the smoke composition 93 with thefloatation member area, allowing escaping gases to expand the floatationmember in the manner previously described in the embodiment shown inFlGS. ii and 2.

in this embodiment, the fuse assembly 1195 is of conventionalconstruction having a firing pin i112 and fuse arm lid. A primer i115actuates a delay charge til? which in turn ignites a fuse outputignition composition 129. The pyrotechnic composition of the fuse issimilar to the delay assembly 119 previously mentioned, that is, a firstfire composition llllti is initially ignited by the output of the primerilllfi. The first fire composition ignites the delay composition M9(typical MlL-- T-23l32, Series ll). The delay composition llll9 burnsthe desired length of time and then ignites the output ignitioncomposition T29. After the fuse output charge is ignited, the hot gastherefrom in turn initiates combustion of a layer of first fire mixll2ll covering the smoke composition 95. The gas generated from thefirst fire mix exits through ports Th3 removing the cover T23 therefrom,which can be pieces of tape or the like. Additionally, the gas from thefirst fire mix causes pressure to build up within the ballute forcing itoutwardly against its enclosing material W9, eventually blowing it awayfrom the grenade and allowing the floatation member to expand in themanner previously described. The enclosing material il ll9 can be atearaway cover which can be removed manually prior to throwing thegrenade.

We claim:

ll. A floatable smoke signalling device comprising:

casing means,

a smoke generating composition housed in said casing means,

an inflatable floatation member housed in said casing means in aposition proximate to said smoke generating composition,

said floatation member being attached to said casing means,

an igniter housed in said casing for igniting said composition so as togenerate gas,

a port in said casing means for conducting a portion of the gas fromsaid composition into said floatation member to inflate said member anda vent in said casing means for venting the remaining portion of the gasfrom said composition into the ambient environment.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said casing means comprises an enclosedcartridge having a top plate integral therewith.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein said vent for venting the gas into theambient environment comprises at least one primary opening in said plateand a chimney affixed to said plate surrounding the opening andextending from said cartridge.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein said inflatable member surrounds saidchimney, a portion of said member being secured adjacent to said plate.

5. The device of claim 4! wherein the port for conducting a portion ofthe gas to said inflatable member comprises at least one secondaryopening formed in said plate, there being a corresponding opening in theportion of said member adjacent to said plate whereby the gas can passfrom said cartridge into said member.

6. The device ofclaim 5 and further comprising a second plate disposedbetween said secondary openings in said first mentioned plate and theopening in said inflatable member to prevent solid particles fromentering said member.

7. The device of claim 5 and further comprising a separable outer shellenclosing the cartridge and inflatable member.

1. A floatable smoke signalling device comprising: casing means, a smoke generating composition housed in said casing means, an inflatable floatation member housed in said casing means in a position proximate to said smoke generating composition, said floatation member being attached to said casing means, an igniter housed in said casing for igniting said composition so as to generate gas, a port in said casing means for conducting a portion of the gas from said composition into said floatation member to inflate said member and a vent in said casing means for venting the remaining portion of the gas from said composition into the ambient environment.
 2. The device of claim 1 wherein said casing means comprises an enclosed cartridge having a top plate integral therewith.
 3. The device of claim 2 wherein said vent for venting the gas into the ambient environment comprises at least one primary opening in said plate and a chimney affixed to said plate surrounding the opening and extending from said cartridge.
 4. The device of claim 3 wherein said inflatable member surrounds said chimney, a portion of said member being secured adjacent to said plate.
 5. The device of claim 4 wherein the port for conducting a portion of the gas to said inflatable member comprises at least one secondary opening formed in said plate, there being a corresponding opening in the portion of said member adjacent to said plate whereby the gas can pass from said cartridge into said member.
 6. The device of claim 5 and further comprising a second plate disposed between said secondary openings in said first mentioned plate and the opening in said inflatable member to prevent solid particles from entering said member.
 7. The device of claim 5 and further comprIsing a separable outer shell enclosing the cartridge and inflatable member. 